Jets topple short-handed Stars, 51-27

December 13, 2013

OLIVER TOSSES—Adams Central 126-pounder Andy Oliver flips over SA’s Josh Lahr at the first whistle of Thursday’s ACAC dual meet at Monroe. Oliver failed to get this takedown, but won by fall. The Jets scored a 51-27 win. (Photo by Jim Hopkins)

By

Jim Hopkins

Adams Central and rival South Adams split 10 matches Thursday at the Central P.E. gym, and the Jets took four forfeits from Barry Humble's Starfires in a 51-27 ACAC victory.
The win puts the Jets, rated No. 1 in Class A, at 1-1 in dual meets, both ACAC contests, while the Starfires, No. 4 in Class A, fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference. Both teams will participate in the Coaches Association State Team Tourney next month.
Humble, who coached the Jets to multiple ACAC and sectional titles in a 22-year coaching stint there, appeared for the first time since taking the reins of South Adams this fall. He had a 17-year run at New Haven.
The meet began at 126 pounds, and Andy Oliver ignited a three-match pin run for the Jets when he forced over frosh Josh Lahr in 3:42. Hunter Bates needed two minutes to dispatch Skylar Strout at 132, and senior Derek Ellinger, honored as the only AC senior on the squad prior to the meet, cradled Matt Nussbaum in 1:55 at 138 pounds.
When Humble chose to move junior Boaz Marbach to 152 and forfeit to veteran Luke Liter at 145, is was 24-0 Jets. That's the margin by which the host team won.
"Effectively, with four forfeits, when Elllinger walked off the mat the meet was over. That does take some of the fun and excitement out of it," stated Adams Central coach Doug Schultz, who wrestled for Humble in a previous age.
"If we had Sawyer (Miller, out with illness) out there I'm pretty sure that would have been six points for us at 120," said Humble of his best wrestler.
"We were pleased with our kids. We were frustrated that we had those holes, but none of them quit. They didn't say 'okay, we can't win,' and give up. They battled," praised Humble.
"Liter was excited to wrestle, thought he had a quality match, but I know coach Humble was trying to close the gap, make his kids believe in what they are doing," noted Schultz of the move.
Marbach, son of former AC standout Jim Marbach, barred over AC sophomore Ryan Ashley for a 1:51 fall to put the Starfires on the board at 152. The Jets took forfeits with Kaine Luginbill at 160, Julian Aguirre at 170, and Karthon McCullough at 182 to make it 42-6......